Saturday, May 31, 2008

With the vast number of people losing their jobs, and not being able to afford morgages the number of abandoned pets has risen. The cost of pet care and pet food is also rising. A starving cat and dog were found in a Westmoreland County apartment building. The owner evicted for not paying rent, was unable to care for the abandoned animals. Kathy Burkley of the Humane Society of Westmoreland county said "We're getting more and more calls from people who have lost their jobs or homes due to the economy." "Donations are also down, and increased pet population is going up, presenting a very difficult dilemmma."The no kill Westmoreland County shelter is already filled to capacity, and is encouraging anyone who can take care of a pet to consider adopting. Donations are always welcome! I'm sure that this situation will not be limited to one shelter. The problem will be widespread as the effects of our economy keep hitting us hard. I've found if you buy food in bulk it's much more economical in the long run. I found a 3lb bag of cat food is almost half the price of a 16lb bag. Sometimes you can get a good deal when on sale, and store in big plastic containers. I'm sad to know that not only families, but pets are now suffering for our sagging economy.You can see the animals rescued and related story and video of the Westmoreland Humane Society here: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/westmoreland/16439916/detail.htmlAdopt or give to your local Humane Society today! The dogs and cats need your help now!Consider signing the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," campaign petition in my previous blog post below, or here at this link: http://literallyinthemoment.blogspot.com/2008/05/sign-petition-to-lower-gas-prices-be.html

Friday, May 30, 2008

American Solutions is launching a campaign to lower American Gas Prices. It is the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," campaign to become less dependent on foreign countries for our oil. I've already signed the petition! Join me and seven hundred thousand other Americans to help lower gas prices, and be a part of the solution to our ever growing gas prices. The "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," flash button is already added to my blog. Join me in adding the button to your blogs and websites. As Americans we cannot tolerate the obvious recession which has been abruptly, and unvolutarily pushed upon us. Higher gas prices are a chain reaction to all price increases, including food and utility bills. This is one way we can all become involved! Here is Newt Gingrich explaining the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," campaign:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Rain, rain go away!With the planting season upon us, we have had little time to sow our seeds in our yearly Spring Garden. The ground thoroughly soaked has not only impeded our planting, but all farmers in the region.

Flower perennials and annuals my daughter and husband purchased for me on Mother’s Day, are only a quarter planted. The rain has literally delayed our regular planting season.

The high price of gas has driven already cautious consumers to the brink of insanity. We have been forced to open our pockets deeper and deeper with every price increase. I’ve never let my gas tank get under a quarter tank, and it is almost on E! Forced to try to cut into my grocery bill, which has in turn increased as the weeks go by. Stocking up on good buys for fear prices will continue to go up within the upcoming months.

Milk, eggs, bread, cheese, rice, flour, and cooking oil have gone sky high. Last week almost five bucks for canola cooking oil, hitting hard to those who are watching calories and cholesterol.Cutting everything in the household to less and less, and our teenage daughter wonders why we don’t want to drive her halfway across the county for a birthday party!

Times are tough, and are only going to get tougher in the future.

I had passed the idea of making our garden even bigger this year to my husband. Last Summer I froze all the vegetables we did not use at the moment. Green beans, zucchini, tomatoes, cabbage, and corn. I freeze them in freezer bags, and take them out as needed for sauces, soups, and stir fries. I never had the patience to can stuff. This is my modern way of canning, to freeze-fresh garden vegetables. I just used my last small frozen bag of tomatoes, for minestrone soup. As long as the vegetables are picked fresh and frozen, they keep very well. I'm hoping to freeze as much as possible this Summer. We cannot afford to waste a thing, cause things are getting tougher all over.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Deist~ A person who believes in God, without accepting any particular religion.

From a very young age I never felt comfortable in church. I always felt so humbled as if I were never good enough to be there. My father was a Protestant, and my mother a Buddhist. Separated and divorced when I was in grade school, my mother was the perfect example of virtue. She was also separated from her religion being here in the U.S., and disgracing her Japanese heritage by marrying an American soldier. I once asked her what she thought about religion, and her reply was "Her Japanese God, and American God are one God." "We pray to the same God from there or here." "We look to the same sky as one God for everyone." She was very wise as a lot of Japanese people are, and have a deep respect for family, and others. She was also very forgiving of those who were prejudice against her, which I could not always be.

We went to a friend’s all faith church once, and the children there teased my sisters and I for being Japanese. They would pull their eyes up and say chinks, we would always say "Get it right, we’re Japs!" I never liked the word Japs either, I felt it was the worst word you could call someone like nigger, spick ect.. We were teased enough at school we didn’t need to go to church to be teased. There are some folks who go to church, who need to go to church literally! I also don’t believe I need to confess my sins. What sins does an average person confess? “I swore 5 times this week, I had lustful thoughts for my husband, I looked at another man, I raised my voice at my child.” I don’t believe we are all sinners, I do believe we make human mistakes, and the majority of the world is filled with good people. Good people trying to live good lives, treating each other with kindness and respect, this is what I truly believe religion is. I don’t believe I need to go to church to prove to people I believe in God, or that I am a good person. There are those who go to church that consider themselves higher on the totem poll. If you wish to do so, it is your choice, but don’t look down upon me if I don’t.My motto is I won’t put you down for being who you are, and in respect do not put me down for being and believing in who I am. Like in the movie Stigmata based on the gospel of Thomas: “Jesus said... the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me.”

Thursday, May 8, 2008

I walk along cow pasture horizons, greeted by a young herd of blackSpring heifers. Lush green grass carpets hilltops, as far as the viewcan conceive. Serenity surroundsme with only the sounds of sweet songbirds, and two bull cows mooing.

I walk along an old dirt railroad track,through rows of giant sycamore trees.A purple spotted monarch flutters ahead, resting on dead fallen leaves. I capture her beauty as she spreads decorative wings.

While white tree blossoms reach for atwilight sky, grateful am I to be here alive. To witness all I see, as Spring sheds her bounty.

I never grow tired of the world's beauty, I can never get enough of all I can drink in with my eyes. I could write, photograph, and envison it all in my mind forever, until my dying days.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Tiger Ranch Latest Update:Tiger Ranch Linda Bruno Jailed Today ~ Sentencing Delayed! Update Oct 5, 2009.On the 3rd day of her preliminary hearing on May 6, 2008, Linda Bruno has been sentenced by Judge Blaschak to go to trial. The judge concluded that there was enough evidence to take the case to trial. Linda Bruno pleaded not guilty to almost 600 animal cruelty charges. The prosecution presented damaging evidence with video and testimony. Dr. Ravindra Murarka of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals testified "I never saw in 17 years of my practice -- conditions like this." Murarka was one of the vets who examined the cats taken from the Tiger Ranch raid on March 13, 2008. Terribly graphic testimony was given on April 28 & 29.

Max Lab/Shepherd Mix~ St Clairsville, OH~ Adopted 2-5-11

About Me

I'm an online network correspondent for urgent animals, and have helped to find rescue for many dogs pictured on my blog! Getting their stories out there, and saving their lives is extremely gratifying to my soul!
A woman possessing many passions. I wake everyday and find thousands of reasons to stay firmly planted on this awesome earth. Life's beauty captivates my photography, and my love for poetry and writing has followed me since my teens!
A hopeless romantic, dreamer, rebel, nature enthusiast, stargazer, and ardent advocate for any cause I've a passion for. Crusading for a day in which violent hate crimes, child abuse, and animal abuse are eradicated from the world forever! Blog writing is a newfound gateway to document my everyday life, using my writing and photography to speak for the innocent and feature stories which are close to my heart. A published Poet, freelance writer, photographer, network correspondent for urgent animals, animal advocate, and consumer advocate. I've been a member of "The PEN," The Poetry Explosion Newsletter ~ The Poet Band Company of Pittsburgh since 2002. My blog is an extention of my life inspiring writing and photography passions.

Pages

Eldad Hagar Rescues Chase On Her Day To Be Euthanized! Amazing Video Of Dog Behavioural Awareness!

I had the pleasure of coming in contact with Eldad Hagar through facebook and through all of our animal related posts and contacts. Eldad appears in this and other videos rescueing dogs who are to be euthanized. Most of these dogs are abused and terribly afraid of human contact. All the dogs need is alittle love and to be able to trust again, most importantly a second chance! Eldad Hagar is their only chance, and he's the founder of Hope for Paws a rescue for homeless, abused, and injured animals in the Los Angeles, California Area! I stand in awe of his work, and I'm inspired by Chase and Eldad to feature more awareness for the animal shelter cause, especially for dogs on death row. Chase is awaiting a new home!

Virginia~ ADOPTED ~ Houndog Yellow Lab Mix, Elizabethtown, N. C.

Virginia was sponsored and has finally beeen Adopted! Yipeee!!

Tiger Ranch Cats Up For Adoption Here!

Adopt one of these beautiful cats today! Click photo for Tails Wags N' At website!

Favorite Writer Quotes

whatever it meansit mattersand most of it is trueI loved every one of themand all of them...were you.~Merrit Malloy

Be the change you wishto see in the world.~Mahandas GhandiLive as if you were to die tomorrow.Learn as if you were to live forever.~Mahandas GhandiThe gospel of Thomas: “Jesus said... the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me.”~From the movie Stigmata~